Blueprint Winter 2022

A publication for the policyholders of the Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield family of companies WINTER 2022
Start Strong in 2022
Blue & You Fitness Challenge
PAGE 7
Mental Health First Aid
in southeast Arkansas
PAGE 4
2022 Blue & You
Foundation Grants
PAGE 8
Understanding
health disparities
PAGE 10

a
with Curtis Barnett
Our President and Chief Executive Officer
Building toward healthcare innovation
In November, Arkansas Blue Cross
and Blue Shield celebrated the grand
opening of our new Northwest
Arkansas Corporate Center in
Springdale, Arkansas. It was a cold,
rainy day, but just as we prepared to
cut the ribbon, the sun started to shine.
We were heartened to see so many of
our friends and neighbors come out to
join us and tour our new facility.
Northwest Arkansas is the fastest
growing area of our state. Our
membership has grown substantially
during the past few decades and as
communities continue to expand there,
we are looking forward to continuing
to grow our presence in this region to
meet needs close to home.
Eventually, we will have about 300
employees working in the new
corporate center, representing a
cross-section of our company’s
overall operations. Arkansas
2 WINTER 2022
Blue Cross has had a presence in
Northwest Arkansas for more than
five decades and in 1994, grew
our presence in Fayetteville by
opening a full-service regional office
providing customer service, medical
management, provider relations and
much more. And for many years,
we have had a presence with our
ArkansasBlue welcome centers, now
located in Fayetteville and Rogers.
But this commitment is not just about
how we can do more in this region.
It’s also about how we can do better
overall for the overall health of our
members and our state.
We recognize that healthcare
faces many challenges and that
today’s solutions aren’t going to fix
tomorrow’s problems. Innovation
is drastically needed in healthcare
delivery, technology, and business
models. Northwest Arkansas has an
incredible track record for innovation
and accomplishment. This region
has committed to innovating and
developing into a major medical,
health and wellness corridor, and
we’re excited to play an integral role
in that development.
That said, we also recognize that
healthcare innovation must be
inclusive and accessible. The
COVID-19 pandemic made clear that
unless we address issues like health
equity and access to behavioral
health, we will never improve the
whole health of all Arkansans.
We consider it a privilege to serve so
many Arkansans as their insurance
company. Our mission will always
be to improve the health, financial
security and peace of mind of the
members and communities we
serve. Whether you live in Northwest
Arkansas or anywhere else in our
state, we are here for you.

Arkansas Blue Cross
Opens New NWA
Corporate Center
With the quick snap of an evergreen garland,
Northwest Arkansas dignitaries on November 3 helped
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield celebrate the official
opening of its new Northwest Arkansas Corporate Center
in Springdale, marking a significant increase in our
commitment to the region and its people.
“This is an important milestone in our presence in
Northwest Arkansas, which stretches back to the mid-
1960s,” said Curtis Barnett, president and chief executive
officer of Arkansas Blue Cross. “This part of our state
has grown immensely in the past 55 years, and we are
investing heavily in its future to help ensure it remains a
vibrant, growing and healthy community.”
Arkansas Blue Cross in Northwest Arkansas
Arkansas Blue Cross has a large customer base in
Northwest Arkansas that includes in-state individual
and group policyholders and national accounts. We will
maintain our corporate headquarters in Little Rock and
continue to operate regional offices and ArkansasBlue
welcome centers in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Hot Springs,
Jonesboro, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Rogers and Texarkana.
About Arkansas Blue Cross’ Northwest
Arkansas Corporate Center
The design of the Arkansas Blue Cross Northwest
Arkansas Corporate Center can accommodate about
300 employees. Architecturally, it incorporates many
workplace best practices observed in the headquarters
of leading organizations around the world.
The building’s progressive features include:
• Exterior glass “curtain walls” bringing in natural light
and great views
• A scenic outdoor space and pavilion area available
to employees and nonprofit community groups for
special events and employee gatherings
• An Innovation Lab dedicated to finding solutions for
more efficient and effective processes and health plans
• Highly functional and flexible floor plans using
moveable walls
• High-tech meeting and presentation areas – including
a large community room on the ground floor for use
by nonprofit community groups, depending on
availability.
• Amenity-filled break areas
• “Hoteling” workstations for visiting staff, clients
and vendors
A few noteworthy environment-conscious features include:
• High-performance exterior glass that limits
solar heat penetration
• Low-VOC (volatile organic compounds)
paints and coatings
• Regionally sourced exterior stone, cut on site
• Native, drought-tolerant landscaping
• Automated, daylight-sensing, LED lighting
• Interior finishes that contain recycled content
• Automated, energy-efficient mechanical systems
WINTER 2022 3

First aid for the mind
Blue & You Foundation grant targets mental health in southeast Arkansas
Five years ago, Mellie Bridewell,
president and CEO of the Arkansas
Rural Health Partnership (ARHP),
received what amounted to a cry
for help. Medical professionals
across the southeastern corner of
Arkansas recognized the need to
address mental health issues in
their communities and reached out
to Mellie and the ARHP.
“We started hearing in 2016 that
the hospitals wanted us to address
mental health issues,” said Mellie.
“So, we started moving in that
direction.”
With a shortage of mental health
professionals in that part of
the state, many people with
mental health needs were going
undiagnosed or waiting for long
periods for adequate treatment –
sometimes with catastrophic results.
“If you come into the emergency
room with chest pains, physicians
can hook you up to a machine and
diagnose you fairly quickly,” said
Amanda Kuttenkuler, ARHP’s Mental
Health Initiatives program director.
“But with mental health issues,
we don’t always know what to do.
Even physicians were asking for
resources.”
But, while increasing the number
of mental health professionals in
south Arkansas is the ideal solution
4 WINTER 2022
to the problem, it just wasn’t
realistic in the short term.
“We asked ourselves, what can we
do right now, without mental health
professionals in place?” said Mellie.
“What are some best practices that
we can implement right now?”
The answer: Mental Health First Aid.
“Mental health first aid was the
thing that was most affordable,”
said Mellie. “The thing that would
have an immediate impact.”
Mental health first aid trains people to
be first responders to mental health
issues. Training in mental health
first aid teaches people to identify,
understand and respond to signs of
mental illness and substance use
disorders. The training provides the
skills necessary to provide initial
support to someone who may
be developing a mental health or
substance use problem and help
connect them to the appropriate care.
To get the ball rolling, Mellie
applied for a $115,000 grant from
the Blue & You Foundation for a
Healthier Arkansas to launch youth
mental health first aid training
throughout southern Arkansas.
The grant was approved.
“The foundation had previously
funded a grant to promote
mental health first aid within
the organization requesting the
funding,” said Rebecca Pittillo,
executive director of the Blue & You
Foundation. “But this grant was
unique because ARHP was taking
the training to school districts
within the state and impacting many
communities quickly. We understood
the great need for mental health
awareness and were pleased to have
the opportunity to fund this effort.”
The ARHP began a series of training
sessions to equip teachers and
healthcare professionals in mental
health first aid. ARHP serves 18
school districts and 14 hospitals
in the southeastern corner of
Arkansas. In one year’s time – from
June 2020 through July 2021 –
they were able to train 537 people
in mental health first aid. And the
effort has already shown results.
“We have had some teachers tell
us they’ve had students in class
exhibiting troubling behavior. And,
because of this training, they were
able to recognize those students
were in crisis and were able to get
them help,” said Amanda. “Others
have been able to identify issues in
their classrooms and resolve them
before they escalated.”
According to the National Institute
of Mental Health, approximately
1 in 5 adults in the United States
lives with a mental illness.

“Most organizations are
reactive when it comes to
mental health,” said Amanda.
“Something happens. We rush
in and ask, ‘What do we do
now?’ This mental health first
aid training empowers people to
be proactive. To see problems
ahead of time and get people the
help they need on the front end.”
“The best part of our relationship
with the Blue & You Foundation
is being able to pivot when we
need to,” said Amanda. “The
flexibility to adjust our plans
when necessary is essential.”
Mellie agreed. “It’s great the
foundation can provide funding,
but they have their thumb on the
pulse of communities,” she said.
“They know what’s going on. You
can call them and ask, ‘What do
you think we need to do here?’
It’s more of a partnership.”
Already the results have
been impressive.
“The Blue & You Foundation
couldn’t be more pleased with
the results of this grant and the
changes that are taking place
because of ARHP’s vision of
mental health first aid across
southeast Arkansas,” said
Rebecca.
Not only have there been actual
cases of people getting the help
they needed when they needed
it, but Mellie points out the
stigma that comes with mental
health issues is beginning to be
erased. “This program helps do
that,” she said.
“It helps heal, too,” said Amanda.
“I’m satisfied with how well this
is working. But there is so much
more to do.”
Thanks to a new grant from the
Blue & You Foundation for the
new Mental Health Community
Expansion Project, they can
begin doing more.
“We are even more pleased
that they will be expanding this
work in 2022 to reach at least
26,800 youth with much-needed
mental and behavioral health
interventions,” said Rebecca.
The new project will increase
access to mental and behavioral
health resources and services
for youth ages 12-18. It will
expand the availability of youth
mental health first aid, launch
mental health awareness and
suicide prevention training and
will train at least 5,200 people to
reach 25,800 youth with needed
mental and behavioral health
interventions.
Said Rebecca, “The Mental
Health Community Expansion
Project is one of 41 grants
awarded by the foundation in
2022 and one of eight grants
that focus specifically on
behavioral health.”
Mellie Bridewell
(seated) visits
with Amanda
Kuttenkuler about
the program.
Headquarters:
Lake Village, AR
Mission:
To create and implement
sustainable community solutions
to improve the healthcare
infrastructure and strengthen
healthcare delivery
in south Arkansas.
Vision:
To ensure everyone has access
to quality and localized healthcare
throughout south Arkansas
through collaborative efforts.
What we believe:
We believe that residents across
south Arkansas should not live
shorter or poorer quality lives largely
because they live in a rural setting.
We envision a future where all south
Arkansas residents can enjoy access
to excellent healthcare providers and
experience quality health outcomes
no matter their socioeconomic
background, gender, ethnicity and
where they choose to live and work.
WINTER 2022 5

High prescription
prices almost
ended Bob’s life
Learn how Arkansas
Blue Cross found ways
to cover his costs
Bob * was tired of fighting. He had been
struggling with hepatitis C and could not
afford a $6,500 copayment each month for
his treatment. He was ready to give up but
feared leaving his teenage daughter behind.
As a single parent, his resources were limited.
He didn’t know where to go or who to turn to for help.
“I had decided to accept it,” he said. “I had already failed
several other attempts at fighting this, and nothing ever
worked. I realized that this was it; this was my life. You
never know when your end is going to be. I began to
accept it. I talked to my daughter about it. She just broke
down and said, ‘you cannot leave me now. You’ve got to
try at least everything you can.’”
Bob, a BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas member
was approved for hepatitis C medication. However, the
$6,500 monthly copayment was impossible for him to pay,
as it would be for most people.
Bob’s case manager, Pamela Martin, R.N., reached out to
the drug manufacturer and told them about his financial
situation. They provided a discount card and lowered his
out-of-pocket cost to $1,000 a month.
Although Bob was ecstatic to get the discount card,
$1,000 a month for treatment was still a lot of money,
and he could barely come up with $400 toward his next
month’s treatment. Unfortunately, to his surprise, the
second month’s medication’s discount was even less.
The third month’s medication discount was virtually
nothing. Bob didn’t know the limit on the discount card
and said he would have to make other arrangements.
Pamela’s concern for Bob grew as she learned of his
exhausted resources. She was determined to find a
way to help him.
She reached out to Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield’s Pharmacy department. Maria Pipkin Eason,
a manager, and Karen Bragg, a supervisor, worked
From left: Pamela Martin, Karen Bragg and Maria Pipkin Eason
with pharmacy vendor Caremark to locate additional
funding for Bob. They were able to identify a copayment
assistance foundation that gave Bob a grant to pay for
the remainder of his hepatitis C medication, along with
the additional treatment prescribed by his doctor.
Pamela called Bob with the good news, and he asked her
to hug everyone involved! So far, Bob has been getting
better results than he’s ever had with any other treatment.
Struggling with prescription costs?
“I want every member to know that Arkansas Blue Cross is
more than just an insurance company,” Pamela said. “We care
enough to go the extra step to find resources and funding.”
Prescription coverage can be hard to understand. Pamela
built a relationship with Bob to communicate with him at
every step of the process.
“Case managers are the link between our members
and their healthcare providers,” Pamela said. “Having
someone as an advocate who has access to pharmacies,
pharmacists and education equips our members with
knowledge and resources.”
Bob knows the significance of the coordination and
assistance he received from the Arkansas Blue Cross team.
“I’d like to thank my support group of Arkansas Blue
Cross. Y’all helped save my life,” said Bob.
If you need help paying for your prescription medications,
call the number on the back of your member ID card
and talk with one of our friendly customer service
representatives. We will do what we can to help.
6 WINTER 2022
*
Not his real name.

Start
Strong
2022 Blue & You Fitness Challenge
is a great way to begin the year
What is the Blue & You Fitness Challenge?
The Blue & You Fitness Challenge is a free annual fitness competition
held from March 1 through May 31. By logging your activity, you can earn
contest recognition and rewards. Companies and organizations throughout
the country participate in the Challenge as part of their wellness programs.
You can form a team (two or more people) with your family and friends! Use
the contest to focus on fitness goals, infuse new energy into your exercise
routines, remain connected and have fun!
Last year, the Blue & You Fitness Challenge experienced a complete
makeover to create a new and improved user experience! We teamed up
with Wellable, an interactive health-and-wellness platform, to easily track
activity and measure standings. Our new platform includes:
Ability to sync with wearables, like an Apple Watch or FitBit
Size categories limited to small, medium and large (based on a team’s
estimated number of participants, not the size of the company)
Automated support from Wellable, in the form of reminders,
troubleshooting and team maintenance
Mobile app (for Apple & Android)
Ability to earn additional points for engaging in healthy behaviors,
like drinking eight glasses of water per day, sleeping 7 hours a night,
meditating, etc.
Ability to view team standings in real-time
DEADLINES:
January 24, 2022
deadline for group registration
March 1
Challenge begins
May 31
Challenge ends
For more
information, call
800-686-2609
or use the QR code
to register.
2022 is going to be a great year for the Fitness Challenge!
Strong starts here!
Register for the Blue & You Fitness Challenge at
form.jotform.com/bluecares/2022-byfc
The Blue & You Fitness Challenge, founded in 2004, is hosted by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield, the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
WINTER 2022 7

Blue & You Foundation awards more than
$
3.36 million in grants to improve health
In November, the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas announced 41 initiatives
receiving grants totaling $3,360,327, that will directly impact 71 of Arkansas’ 75 counties.
The Blue & You Foundation is a charitable foundation established and funded by Arkansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield to promote better health in the Natural State.
“Eleven of our grants this year focus on education for medical professionals and eight grants address behavioral
health, issues that are extremely important to the health of all Arkansans,” said Rebecca Pittillo, executive director of
the Blue & You Foundation. “Ten of our grants will reach Arkansans statewide. And because we are very aware of the
need for more health equity within our state, eight of our grants focus specifically on minority populations.”
Since 2001, the Blue & You Foundation has awarded more than $45 million to nonprofits and governmental agencies in
all 75 counties. Applications for the next round of large grants will be accepted April 15 through July 15, 2022. Grants
will range from $5,000 to $150,000. Blue & You Foundation training sessions for grant writing will be offered in March
2022. For more information on trainings and the Blue & You grant process, visit blueandyoufoundationarkansas.org.
The 2022 grant recipients are:
ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION, Little Rock
($150,000) – to reduce infant mortality by educating parents
on safety risks.
ARKANSAS FOODBANK, Little Rock ($89,908) – to help
community members become more food secure by educating
them on healthy eating, becoming self-sufficient and by
providing support.
ARKANSAS HARM REDUCTION PROJECT, Little Rock
($143,300) – to prevent opioid overdoses and deaths by
distributing Naloxone to those battling addiction, their
families and others in the community.
ARKANSAS RURAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP, Lake Village
($150,000) – to increase mental health resources for 12- to
18-year-olds living in rural parts of the state. At least 5,200
people will be trained to provide mental health and suicide
prevention assistance.
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM FOUNDATION,
Jonesboro ($128,720) – to provide mentoring, cohort building
and financial assistance to underrepresented minority
students in premedical curriculum.
ARKANSAS STEM COALITION, Little Rock ($51,758) –
to educate eighth-grade students on health science careers.
ARKANSAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, Little Rock ($5,000)
– to provide music engagement for patients at Arkansas
Children’s Hospital.
ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, Russellville
($68,549) – to install pediatric simulation equipment in the
Arkansas Tech University/Ozark Campus Simulation Lab.
ASHDOWN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, INC., Ashdown ($150,000)
– to construct the Ashdown City Park Inclusive Playground.
BAPTIST HEALTH FOUNDATION, Little Rock ($115,000)
– to begin a Patient Care Tech Program at the Baptist Health
College in Little Rock.
BLACK RIVER TECHNICAL COLLEGE, Pocahontas ($149,483)
– to construct a one-and-a-half mile walking trail connecting
the campus.
CHERRY VALLEY FOOD PANTRY, Cherry Valley ($5,000)
– to purchase food for 70 to 80 families each week.
CITY OF COTTER, Cotter ($31,224) – to establish the Cotter Warrior
Park Family Health Fit Zone, providing outdoor equipment for
children and teens and therapeutic and fitness classes for all ages.
CITY OF HAMPTON, Hampton ($6,000) – to purchase playground
equipment for children in the city of Hampton and Calhoun County.
CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, Little Rock ($150,000) – to create a
behavioral health initiative at Watson Elementary and enhance
behavioral health outreach to families in four community schools.
DONALD W. REYNOLDS CANCER SUPPORT HOUSE,
Fort Smith ($5,000) – to ease transportation barriers for
disadvantaged cancer patients needing treatment.
GARLAND COUNTY IMAGINATION LIBRARY, Mount Ida ($8,000)
– to purchase a book each month for 320 children up to 5 years old.
GIRL SCOUTS – Diamonds, Little Rock ($11,340) – to create
a STEM program within Girl Scouts, to encourage careers
improving the health of people in their communities.
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF ARKANSAS, Little Rock ($25,000)
– to provide training for 30 students seeking Clinical Medical
Assistant certification.
HISPANIC COMMUNITY SERVICES INC., Jonesboro ($39,633)
– to offer bilingual classes and host discussions on a variety of
mental health topics and wrap-around services.
IMMERSE ARKANSAS, Little Rock ($50,000) – to provide
recreational therapy to about 200 youth in or emerging from
the foster care system, funding equipment, activities and staff.
IVY CENTER FOR EDUCATION, Pine Bluff ($35,384) –
to increase the number of qualified African American males
in medical doctor programs by exposing them to the medical
sciences before they enter college.
8 WINTER 2022

JEFFERSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, Pine Bluff
($149,201) – to replace simulation equipment used to
train healthcare workers at Jefferson School of Nursing.
JEFFERSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION,
Pine Bluff ($150,000) – for a cancer screening program
for an underserved population to reduce cancer deaths in
Southeast Arkansas using synergistic relationships and
resources.
LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT, Little Rock ($8,250)
– to establish a school garden at Mann Magnet Middle
School which will educate students on the benefits of
nutritious foods.
NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR, Pine Bluff ($36,000)
– to purchase a walk-in freezer for its food pantry.
NORTH ARKANSAS COLLEGE, Harrison ($149,554)
– to purchase obstetric simulation equipment and cardiac
monitor/defibrillator training for EMTs and paramedics.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS CRISIS INTERVENTION CENTER,
Springdale ($5,000) – to purchase a text messaging
service to serve as a crisis line for those in behavioral
health emergencies.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS WOMEN’S SHELTER,
Rogers ($25,000) – to purchase food for the shelter’s
food pantry and provide pantry start-up kits for shelter
residents moving into their own homes.
OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY, Arkadelphia
($131,000) – to develop a skills laboratory and
simulation center at Ouachita Baptist University
for its nursing program.
OZARK MISSION PROJECT, Little Rock ($25,000)
– to construct wheelchair ramps, porches and stairs
for low-income, veteran and disabled residents.
PANGBURN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Pangburn ($38,334)
– to construct three playgrounds for elementary students.
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE, Little Rock ($62,450)
– to provide meals for families staying at the Ronald
McDonald House with a critically ill child.
SHARE FOUNDATION, El Dorado ($150,000)
– to expand palliative care services in Union, Ouachita,
Calhoun, Columbia and Bradley counties.
SOUTHERN ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY TECH, East
Camden ($148,758) – to provide phlebotomy and
pharmacy tech training to underrepresented, minority
and marginalized persons in the Delta Region.
UNION RESCUE MISSION, Little Rock ($147,200)
– to provide temporary housing and mental health
support for shelter residents as they transition out
of Nehemiah House and Dorcas House.
UNITED WAY OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS, INC.,
Lowell ($56,400) – to expand the Arkansas 211 program,
allowing Latinx populations to receive linguistically
appropriate information on food assistance, behavioral
health services and other community programs.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT MONTICELLO,
Monticello ($150,000) – to upgrade the newborn, infant,
adult and geriatric manikins to train nursing students.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FORT SMITH FOUNDATION,
Fort Smith ($150,000) – to replace outdated equipment
at the UAFS Dental Hygiene Clinic.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOUNDATION, INC., (UAMS),
Little Rock ($62,000) – to create a behavioral health
integration training curriculum for social workers,
psychologists and other mental health professionals at
19 UAMS primary care clinics.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOUNDATION, INC., (UAMS),
Little Rock ($147,791) – to train 18 family medicine
residencies in Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD),
making it more widely available for underserved populations.
Grants Impacting Arkansas
Number of grants
impacting county
7-10
4-6
1-3
0
WINTER 2022 9

Understanding
health disparities
to chart a course for a
healthier tomorrow
by Creshelle R. Nash, M.D., MPH
Medical Director for Health Equity and Public Programs
As we look back on 2021, we reflect on our
experiences of the past 12 months and look
ahead to what the new year may bring. When
we did this last year, most of us reflected on the
trauma and disruption brought by the COVID-19 pandemic,
financial uncertainty and social unrest. We sat with the
pain of loss, the loneliness of isolation and yet held hope
for a stronger, healthier year ahead. It’s heartening to
see that, for many, 2021 turned out to be a brighter year
than 2020. However, the persistently poor experiences
of minority communities reinforce the need to address
health equity and disparities that disproportionately
affect those with the fewest resources to overcome them.
Many Americans will face 2022 in positions of greater
uncertainty and will need greater support. Beyond the
ongoing risks of the COVID-19 virus, a secondary crisis
– behavioral health – has emerged from untreated
health issues. Communities of color and low-income
populations are being hit the hardest and at greater
rates, further exacerbating disparities and inequities
in our nation.
Behavioral health issues have been on the rise in
America for some time. Yet the past 18 months has
brought to light a crisis of mental health and substance
use that is putting the lives of millions of Americans
at risk. One of the most striking issues is the dramatic
increase of fatal drug overdoses. According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug
overdose deaths increased 30.8% nationwide between
March 2020 and March 2021. 1
While this crisis is one hitting communities across the
nation, some populations experience even greater risk.
States with lower income and lower access to resources
experienced far greater overdose deaths, including a
57% increase in Kentucky and a 62% increase in West
Virginia. Moreover, communities of color experience the
risk at greater levels. Research released in November
2021 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that
the overdose rate among Black people alone increased
by 38% from 2018 to 2019. While researchers continue
to explore the disparity among Black Americans, many
anticipate the variation to continue or even worsen
unless there is coordinated and intentional action.
10 WINTER 2022

We can not truly be healthy until
we acknowledge the disparities
and find ways to take collective
action to overcome inequity.
-- Creshelle R. Nash, M.D., MPH
Medical Director for Health Equity and Public Programs
Another stark disparity can be found in rates of suicide,
which recent CDC data show have dropped overall in
the United States, yet increased for American Indians
and Alaska Natives, Black Americans and Hispanic
Americans. 2 Yet another is maternal health, where
Black women are three times more likely to die from
a pregnancy-related cause than White women, again
based on CDC data. 3
As we welcome a new year with renewed hope for a
brighter, healthier future, it is important that, no matter
our background and personal circumstances, we
acknowledge that our experience with health can differ
greatly based on our race, ethnicity, geography and
other factors. We will continue to strive for personal
health, and that of our community, yet we can not truly
be healthy until we acknowledge the disparities and find
ways to take collective action to overcome inequity.
Awareness is the first step, and now, with the crisis
we have faced since the pandemic began, there is
opportunity for meaningful system-level change which
can only be done by working with local partners and
diverse organizations. In my own state of Arkansas, I see
collaboration leading to action. From trauma intervention
in schools, to increased resources for addiction and
suicide prevention, to academic partners increasing
access to care professionals in rural and minority
communities. Through collective action and engagement,
I believe we can achieve a healthier future for all.
COVID-19 Updates
To find out the latest news on the COVID-19
pandemic, go to Vaccinate the Natural State
(vaccinatethenaturalstate.com) and our
Blueprint news hub (hub.arkansasbluecross.com).
1
cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm
2
nbcnews.com/health/mental-health/suicide-rates-declined-2020-not-groups-cdc-report-shows-rcna4363
3
cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html
WINTER 2022 11

PRESS &
PAY
ArkansasBlue welcome
center kiosks make it
easy to settle your bill
W
hether you like using a card,
check or cash, or whether your
native language is English, Spanish,
Marshallese or Vietnamese,
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
is working to eliminate barriers for
our members in our ArkansasBlue
welcome centers.
Several years ago, iPad payment
kiosks were installed at our welcome
centers, where members could pay
by card or check. As technology
evolved, other options became
available for secure card, check
and cash payments. The journey to
finding a new solution for Arkansas
Blue Cross members started with
Jeremy Brown, manager of Regional
Retail Sales and Operations for the
South Central Region.
“I’m inquisitive by nature,” Jeremy
said. “I try to view things through the
eyes of the customer, so I often ask
how we can improve our members’
experiences. When I pay my bills,
I want the process to be painless, so
we should make our members’ billpaying
experience easy as well.”
Arkansas Blue Cross found a
solution that could accept and
process all forms of payment —
quickly and securely. Customers
can swipe a card, scan a check or
pay by cash, eliminating barriers for
members who may not have a card or
check option. And the kiosks provide
instructions in four languages.
By automating these procedures,
payments are processed faster, and
members’ accounts are credited
more quickly. Most members can
also set up autopayments, pay online
through our website, use the My
Blueprint app, pay by telephone or
send their payments using a check or
money order through the mail.
“Our members need payment options
so they can pay their bills and
avoid their coverage lapsing,” said
Vicki Greer, manager of Financial
Information Systems. “If a member’s
coverage lapses, they may have
to wait until the next year’s open
enrollment. That can be devastating.”
The upgraded kiosks were installed
in 2020 when the welcome centers
were closed, due to COVID-19 safety
precautions. Members dropped
payments in a mailbox outside the
stores, and employees used the
kiosks to process the payments.
The innovation isn’t stopping there,
however. Members will soon see
QR codes on their invoices.
Scanning the QR code at a payment
kiosk will automatically bring up
the member’s information,
speeding up the transaction.
“We’ll continue to find customercentric
solutions,” Jeremy said.
“We want our members to know
at every step that they are valued
and our company’s philosophy,
operations and ideas keep our
fellow Arkansans in mind.”
12 WINTER 2022

New provider directory helps
you find care, no matter where
The doctor is in … and so are treatment cost estimates and more!
You want to find the best healthcare for your family, but you also want to
know how much that care may cost. Thanks to our updated Find Care and
Costs tool, you can search for in-network doctors anywhere in the United
States and get estimates for more than 1,600 medical treatments.
If you are an Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Health Advantage or
BlueAdvantage Administrators of Arkansas member (not on a Medicare
plan), you can also see a treatment timeline based on historical claims
data for other members in a similar health plan. Treatment timelines
provide general estimates and time frames for multi-stage procedures
such as hip or knee replacements.
You can also use the new tool to add frequently seen providers to your
“favorites” list to find them easily in the future.
Want to know more about a doctor or other medical provider? You can read
provider reviews from other Blue members, whether you are a member or
not. Our members can also write reviews in My Blueprint for providers they
have seen throughout the United States. If you live in Arkansas, you can also
use the tool to select a primary care provider.
You can start using the new provider directory by going to one of our
websites or by using the My Blueprint mobile app.
More improvements are coming!
1
Cost estimates are only available through My Blueprint and for medical plans for
members under age 65 (Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement, dental and
vision plans are excluded).
WINTER 2022 13

Your rights and protections
against surprise medical bills
Life is full of surprises. Some are good. Others ... not so much.
When it comes to healthcare costs, you have rights that
protect you from surprise billing, which also is known as
“balance billing.”
What is “balance billing” (sometimes called
“surprise billing”)?
When you see a doctor or other healthcare provider,
you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a
copayment, coinsurance and/or a deductible. You may
have other costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see
a provider or visit a healthcare facility that isn’t in your
health plan’s network.
“Out-of-network” describes providers and facilities that
haven’t signed a contract with your health plan. Out-ofnetwork
providers may be permitted to bill you for the
difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the
full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance
billing.” This amount often is more than in-network costs
for the same service and might not count toward your
annual out-of-pocket limit.
“Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This
can happen when you can’t control who is involved in
your care – like when you have an emergency or when
you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are
unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider.
You are protected from balance billing for:
• Emergency services – If you have an emergency medical
condition and get emergency services from an out-ofnetwork
provider or facility, the most the provider or
facility may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing
amount (such as copayments and coinsurance). You
can’t be balance billed for these emergency services.
This includes services you may get after you’re in stable
condition, unless you give written consent and give up
your protections not to be balanced billed for these poststabilization
services.
• Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory
surgical center – Services provided at an in-network
hospital or ambulatory surgical center for emergency
medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory,
neonatology and services by assistant surgeons,
hospitalists and intensivists cannot balance bill you nor
ask you to give up your protections to be balanced billed.
In these cases, the most the providers may bill you is your
plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount.
If you get other services at these in-network facilities,
out-of-network providers can’t balance bill you, unless
you give written consent and give up your protections.
You’re never required to give up your protections from
balance billing. You also aren’t required to get care outof-network.
You can choose a provider or facility in your
plan’s network.
When balance billing isn’t allowed, you also
have the following protections:
• You are only responsible for paying your share of the
cost (like the copayments, coinsurance and deductibles
that you would pay if the provider or facility were
in-network). Your health plan will pay out-of-network
providers and facilities directly.
• Your health plan generally must:
– Cover emergency services without requiring
you to get approval for services in advance
(prior authorization).
– Cover emergency services by out-ofnetwork
providers.
– Base what you owe the provider or facility
(cost-sharing) on what it would pay an in-network
provider or facility and show that amount in your
explanation of benefits.
– Count any amount you pay for emergency services or
out-of-network services toward your deductible and
out-of-pocket limit.
If you believe you’ve been wrongly billed, you may
contact us at the customer service phone number
on the back of your health plan member ID card.
14 WINTER 2022

· View plan information at a glance
· Access your claims history
· Track your claim status
· View and transmit your ID cards
· Find in-network providers and add to favorites
· Access your personal health record
· And more!
Blueprint Portal -
A new and improved web and mobile app
experience for our members.
WINTER 2022
EDITOR
Jen Bridgeman
Editor@arkbluecross.com
DESIGNER
Ryan Kravitz
PHOTOGRAPHER
Chip Bayer
CONTRIBUTORS
Roza Bost
Katie Eisenhower
Suzi Parker
Greg Russell
Marie Trotter
VICE PRESIDENT
of CORPORATE
MARKETING
Alison Melson
MEDICAL
REVIEWERS
Mark Jansen, M.D.,
vice president and
chief medical officer
Creshelle Nash,
M.D., MPH
medical director
for Health Equity
and Public Programs
WINTER 2022 15

Race Day Rollbacks
Save money on your next race-day adventure
Arkansas Blue Cross is committed to
improving the health and wellness of our
members, friends and neighbors. We’re also
committed to saving you money on healthy
living. Race Day Rollbacks is our exclusive
program to save you a percentage of your
race entry fee -- just by being our member.
Events
• January 22 – David’s Trail Endurance Run, Mountain Home | 50k, 25k, 7k | Save 20%
• January 22 – Frozen Toes, Fayetteville | 15k, 5k | Save $5
• March 5 – Ozark Highlands, Norfolk | 50k, 35k | Save 20%
• March 12 – Endure the Dirt, Stuttgart | Competitive and non competitive 5ks | Save $10
• March 18-20 – Three Days of Syllamo, Blanchard Springs | 50k, 50mile, 20k | Save 20%
Registration
is easy
1) Go to arkbluecross.com/race-day-rollbacks
2) Click on an event to get a discount code
3) Go to the event website, fill out the registration form and enter the discount
code at checkout
4) Start training for your event (with a little extra money in your pocket)
00002.03.01-0122
Good luck and see you out there! Terms and conditions may apply.